An appearance by a beloved Japanese pop group on the country's big New Year's Eve song competition was supposed to a high point of the night. It was — but mostly because the group's lead singer, Keisuke Kuwata, sported a Hitler mustache that some people think was a swipe at the prime minister.

Updated

11/12/2014 - 12:15pm

There were no smiles or warmth and no lingering chit-chat, but the leaders of China and Japan actually shook hands in front of the cameras. And even that small step is a good sign for a troubled relationship.

Many Japanese believe the media hasn't done its job in holding the government and power companies accountable for the Fukushima disaster. Jun Hori, a former TV anchor, agreed. Now he and others are starting new media companies to break the compliant mold of Japanese reporting.

Japan's prime minister has unveiled a plan to restart the country's nuclear energy program almost three years after the Fukushima disaster. But given the country's deep divide over nuclear power, the plan is short of specifics and retains a commitment to developing renewable energy sources.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's five-month delay in moving into his official residence has renewed rumors that the building, which has a history of assassinations and violence, is plagued by ghosts. Anchor Marco Werman talks with author Roland Kelts.

North Korea followed through on its threats and conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday, Monday night in the United States, believed to be its most powerful to date. The test was roundly criticized, even by North Korea's lone ally, China. A United Nations Security Council meeting has been called.

Many Japanese believe the media hasn't done its job in holding the government and power companies accountable for the Fukushima disaster. Jun Hori, a former TV anchor, agreed. Now he and others are starting new media companies to break the compliant mold of Japanese reporting.

An appearance by a beloved Japanese pop group on the country's big New Year's Eve song competition was supposed to a high point of the night. It was — but mostly because the group's lead singer, Keisuke Kuwata, sported a Hitler mustache that some people think was a swipe at the prime minister.

Japan's prime minister has unveiled a plan to restart the country's nuclear energy program almost three years after the Fukushima disaster. But given the country's deep divide over nuclear power, the plan is short of specifics and retains a commitment to developing renewable energy sources.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's five-month delay in moving into his official residence has renewed rumors that the building, which has a history of assassinations and violence, is plagued by ghosts. Anchor Marco Werman talks with author Roland Kelts.

North Korea followed through on its threats and conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday, Monday night in the United States, believed to be its most powerful to date. The test was roundly criticized, even by North Korea's lone ally, China. A United Nations Security Council meeting has been called.

Updated

11/12/2014 - 12:15pm

There were no smiles or warmth and no lingering chit-chat, but the leaders of China and Japan actually shook hands in front of the cameras. And even that small step is a good sign for a troubled relationship.

Many Japanese believe the media hasn't done its job in holding the government and power companies accountable for the Fukushima disaster. Jun Hori, a former TV anchor, agreed. Now he and others are starting new media companies to break the compliant mold of Japanese reporting.

Updated

11/12/2014 - 12:15pm

There were no smiles or warmth and no lingering chit-chat, but the leaders of China and Japan actually shook hands in front of the cameras. And even that small step is a good sign for a troubled relationship.

An appearance by a beloved Japanese pop group on the country's big New Year's Eve song competition was supposed to a high point of the night. It was — but mostly because the group's lead singer, Keisuke Kuwata, sported a Hitler mustache that some people think was a swipe at the prime minister.

Japan's prime minister has unveiled a plan to restart the country's nuclear energy program almost three years after the Fukushima disaster. But given the country's deep divide over nuclear power, the plan is short of specifics and retains a commitment to developing renewable energy sources.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's five-month delay in moving into his official residence has renewed rumors that the building, which has a history of assassinations and violence, is plagued by ghosts. Anchor Marco Werman talks with author Roland Kelts.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's five-month delay in moving into his official residence has renewed rumors that the building, which has a history of assassinations and violence, is plagued by ghosts. Anchor Marco Werman talks with author Roland Kelts.